It is now more than 10 years since Printable Electronics moved from an academic research activity into a commercially-viable, but often development-scale industry, and in the majority of areas a transition to high volume commercial-production has still not yet been made. But both the real potential and the expectation remain high: incorporating direct material deposition of electronic and other materials into products can revolutionise product design and function.
Over the last few years the manufacturing equipment, material portfolio and production capability available within the Printed Electronic and Large Area Electronics community has improved greatly. But at the same time, it must be remembered that conventional subtractive and lithographically-formed electronics offers a wealth of capability and many of these traditional capabilities may remain well in advance of the production capability of Printed Electronics for many years to come. Therefore, it is essential to understand where printable electronics and – more generally - material deposition can find a viable, economically-sound, place within the manufacturing community.
This presentation will focus on activities both within PEL and in the wider community highlighting areas where the field has the potential to gain most commercial success.
Dr Neil Chilton: Neil has a PhD in semiconductor analysis. His initial career took him to Japan where he worked at the Advanced Technology Research Centre of Nippon Steel. After returning to the UK he joined Europe’s then-largest PCB manufacturing facility in the North East of England. He remained there for more than 10 years participating in a management buyout and becoming Technical Sales Director. In 2006, he started with Printed Electronics Limited (PEL), founded by Dr Steve Jones, located in Cambridge and Tamworth, UK. Neil’s focus at PEL is the development of digital additive manufacturing technologies for adding electronic and other functionalities.
Over the last few years the manufacturing equipment, material portfolio and production capability available within the Printed Electronic and Large Area Electronics community has improved greatly. But at the same time, it must be remembered that conventional subtractive and lithographically-formed electronics offers a wealth of capability and many of these traditional capabilities may remain well in advance of the production capability of Printed Electronics for many years to come. Therefore, it is essential to understand where printable electronics and – more generally - material deposition can find a viable, economically-sound, place within the manufacturing community.
This presentation will focus on activities both within PEL and in the wider community highlighting areas where the field has the potential to gain most commercial success.
Dr Neil Chilton: Neil has a PhD in semiconductor analysis. His initial career took him to Japan where he worked at the Advanced Technology Research Centre of Nippon Steel. After returning to the UK he joined Europe’s then-largest PCB manufacturing facility in the North East of England. He remained there for more than 10 years participating in a management buyout and becoming Technical Sales Director. In 2006, he started with Printed Electronics Limited (PEL), founded by Dr Steve Jones, located in Cambridge and Tamworth, UK. Neil’s focus at PEL is the development of digital additive manufacturing technologies for adding electronic and other functionalities.
